Tami Hoag, who has more than 22 million copies of her books in print, follows her most recent bestselling novel, Dark Horse, with her first hardcover thriller set in her new hometown, Los Angeles.

Kill the Messenger went on sale July 6 with an initial printing of about 275,000. It offers Hoag's trademark nonstop action, strong characters and forensic details in a story that takes place among the bike messengers of L.A.'s congested streets. The book is being supported by Bantam with national radio and print ads and a nine-city tour. Hoag is visiting stores in Los Angeles and in her native Minneapolis/St. Paul area.